okay, i have a *really* dumb question...

with the stella (or any "shifty" scooter), do you hold the clutch in or while kick-starting? i've tried with the clutch in (which it appears the manual tells you to do. i think.) and absolutely nothing happens. but if the clutch is NOT in, it kinda leaps, and makes not-nice sounds. so i only tried that once. but if that's the way to go, then so be it...

in other news, just back in from my evening ride around the neighborhood, and i got it up to (*gasp*) 25mph! tomorrow, i'm taking him over to a local parking lot, and really practicing on those turns.

you know what's really hard? and they didn't teach in my MSF course? turning from a dead stop. like you might have to do when turning onto a street just after stopping for a stop sign. and i'm really bad at it. tomorrow, i'm going to conquer that. ayup.

I don't use the clutch when kick starting. Just make sure you have it on the centerstand and the gear is in neutral.
I only use the clutch when using the electric start.

Turning from a dead start is easy once you get the hang of it.
Just have to get the clutch, first gear and throttle thing down.
I think I spent my first weekend just practicing taking off in first gear.
Put in neutral.. Pop it in first. Pull away. Stop. Put in neutral..
Pop it in first. Pull away. Stop. Put in neutral.. Pop it in first. Pull away. Stop. Put in neutral.. Pop it in first. Pull away. Stop. Put in neutral..
Pop it in first. Pull away. Stop...................

okay, yeah, not too long after i posted that, i went back outside and tried it...i never managed to successfully kickstart it, but my (much taller) husband did. so, that problem is solved.

here in a minute, i'm about to go out and practict those starts. or maybe just drive around the neighborhood. or both!